WEST SPRINGFIELD — Another Western Massachusetts city has been designated a surrounding community, eligible to receive mitigation money from MGM Resorts International, relating to the company's plan to build an $800 million casino in Springfield's South End.

Newly-elected West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan confirmed Thursday afternoon that following a meeting with MGM officials, the city was designated by the company to be a surrounding community, alleviating him from having to submit a petition to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission by the Monday deadline.

"It was a very productive meeting and they realize that West Springfield has some specific concerns about how a casino may impact us," Sullivan said. "They agreed to make us a surrounding community, and (we'd like to) negotiate the terms of a mitigation agreement in the next 30 days."

Sullivan said that although he has no specific dollar figure in mind, he is considering the impact of a Springfield casino on traffic and some of West Springfield's neighborhoods, for instance. He also said that he was impressed with MGM's local team and thought that they already had a solid grasp on what key issues will likely be discussed going forward.

Carole Brennan, spokeswoman for MGM Springfield, said the meeting was positive and that the company is confident a mitigation agreement will be forthcoming.

"After a productive meeting with Mayor Sullivan today, MGM has designated West Springfield a surrounding community," Brennan said. "The next step is for the MGM Springfield team and the mayor's team to continue to work collaboratively to reach a fair and thoughtful agreement. Based on today's discussions, we are confident that both sides are committed to coming to terms in the near future."

West Springfield's designation as a surrounding community brings the city closer to negotiating a mitigation agreement, as MGM has already done with Ludlow, Agawam, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow and Chicopee.

Northampton has petitioned to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to be designated a surrounding community, and Longmeadow, which has failed to reach an agreement with MGM, is also aiming for such a designation.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is expected to hold a public hearing on the issue of surrounding community designations on Jan. 23 with a decision as to their status coming by Feb. 6.